Basic Triathlon Rules

Whether you're a first-time participant or a seasoned competitor, understanding the basic rules is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable race experience. This guide breaks down key triathlon rules to help you navigate your next event confidently.

General Rules

1. Race Briefing: Attend the pre-race briefing to get important updates on the course, safety instructions, and rule clarifications.

2. Race Number: Wear your race number as directed. Where are we asking them to wear their numbers?

3. Sportsmanship: Respect other athletes, volunteers, and race officials. Unsportsmanlike conduct can result in disqualification.

4. Clothing: A bare torso (for men) is fine in the pool and T1 but once on the bike, and for the duration of the race, a top must be worn at all times, and if it’s a trisuit, it shouldn’t be fully unzipped.

Transition Rules

1. Equipment: Keep your gear confined to your designated area in the transition zone. Towels are OK for transition but shouldn’t be hung on the racks.

2. Mount and Dismount Lines: Only mount your bike after crossing the mount line and dismount before the dismount line.

3. Helmet: Fasten your helmet before touching your bike and keep it fastened until you rack your bike after the ride. Your helmet must fit correct and the strap can be fastened under your chin.

Swim Rules

1. Drafting: Drafting in the swim leg is allowed.

2. Safety: If you need assistance, roll onto your back and raise your hand to signal for help. You can rest by holding onto a kayak or buoy without forward propulsion.

3. Swim Cap: Wear the official swim cap provided by the race organizers - this helps with visibility.

4. Course Adherence: Follow the marked course; cutting corners can lead to disqualification.

Bike Rules

1. Drafting Regulations: This race is a non-draft race. BTF rules state a minimum of 10m unless you’re in the process of overtaking. Once you enter that draft zone to overtake, you must pass. If you’ve been passed on an overtake, it is your duty to drop back out to the 10m draft zone behind.

2. Position Rules: Stay to the left unless overtaking. Overtake ONLY on the right, and no not pass the centre line of the road to overtake on a 2 lane road. Anyone caught undertaking or crossing the centre line will be penalised.

3. Penalties: Blocking, drafting, or failing to complete a legal pass can result in time penalties.

4. Equipment: ANY roadworthy self-powered bike - BMXs, mountain bikes, shopper bikes - NOT eBikes. 🙂 Ensure the bike will pass safety checks for brakes and handlebar configurations.

5. Course Adherence: Follow the marked course; cutting corners can lead to disqualification.

Run Rules

1. Litter: Discard rubbish only in designated areas.

2. Being Paced: External pacing from non-participants is prohibited.

3. Course Adherence: Follow the marked course; cutting corners can lead to disqualification.

Tips for Beginners

1. Know the Course: Familiarize yourself with the race course before the event, including transition areas and course markings. Courses for each race can be found by clicking the Courses menu above.

2. Start Types: Be aware of your race’s swim start format — for the pool-based races, it’ll be a 30 sec rolling start per person. For the sea swim, it’ll be a small wave start, every minute.

3. Practice Transitions: Set up mock transition zones during training to practice smooth gear changes.

4. Equipment Check: Double-check all gear, including your bike, helmet, and running shoes, before race day. See blog posts on required equipment here: Sprint Tri Gear and Olympic Tri Gear

5. Pace Yourself: Maintain a steady pace throughout each discipline to avoid burnout.

6. Enjoy the Experience: Soak in the atmosphere and focus on personal achievement rather than competition.

Remember, this is a fun and accessible event, it’s not the world championships. Please treat it as such. Happy racing!